Redesigning Traditions

The students and Ms Soh identified that the old library was more cramped and was largely used as a space to house and store the school’s extensive but outdated print collection.

Drawing on the 21st Century School Library Framework, derived from a synthesis of the functions of future-ready school libraries, Ms Soh worked with the architects to redesign the library space to better support students’ learning needs.

The vast book collection was weeded and updated with new books. The library has also imposed a 10 year age limit to physical books in its collection (i.e. books over 10 years in age that are no longer borrowed or relevant will be removed from the collection and replaced).

Dedicated reading places were also set up around the library to provide spaces for students to read for relaxation.

Responding to students’ demand for more studying spaces, a variety of studying spaces was introduced to the library.

Located on the 2nd floor of the library, these high chair sitting areas are equipped with power sockets, allowing students to plug in and use their electronic learning devices should the need arise.

Given the importance of collaboration for 21st century learning, discussion rooms were added. Whiteboards and digital screens enable students to work effectively across physical as well as digital mediums.

To ensure that students had priority to the space, teachers seeking to use the space have to make prior bookings whereas students could use and hold the room as and when it becomes available.

To provide students with different options for independent studying or group work, small clusters of a single table surrounded by four chairs can also be found on the 2nd floor. Students appreciate the flexible options for studying and collaboration.

Green spaces are known to boost mental health. The slightly larger tables that seat four users near the 2nd floor windows allow students a view of the outside while they are engaged in their work and rounds off the different sitting arrangement available on the 2nd floor.

The revised library also featured new shelves with built-in partitions and display nooks to enable students to better locate their preferred reading materials. As HCI is a Special Assistance School (SAP) with emphasis on Chinese, the school stocks bilingual magazines that were made more visible via a wall-mounted storage system which utilised the covers of the latest editions to attract users.

Library Club is offered as a co-curricular activity (CCA) at HCI. Student-librarians are involved in the upkeep of the library. Contrary to outdated ideas that student librarians spend their time stacking books, the student library committee also maintains the library’s social media channels, notifies their peers of new book arrivals and organises literary events within the library space.

To encourage student learning, the library also serves as a space to bring in speakers and encourage learning activities. A multi-purpose space with potential for different spatial configurations was configured on L1 of the library for talks and workshops. Should the need arise, the space can be converted to more studying space.

Although the students are digitally connected, students still require print to help with reading comprehension and research.

A printing room with self-service photocopying and printing machines allow students to print hardcopies for reference and research.

A new inclusion to the library is a self-borrowing station which allow students to check-out books by themselves.

As there is only one library assistant, this service frees up time from the library assistant for more high-value tasks such as curating and managing the book collection.